Joep is a Maritime Unmanned Systems (MUS) specialist with a flight test background and broad tactical naval experience.

After joining the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) in 2004 Joep worked as officer of the watch and principal warfare officer on several minehunters, an ocean going patrol vessel and an air defence frigate.

In 2016, he made a career switch by graduating from the Empire Test Pilot School (ETPS) to become an Experimental Flighst Engineer for the NH90 maritime helicopter (operated by the Royal Netherlands Airforce). He conducted a variety of certification and experimental ground and flight tests on the NH90.

In 2021, after several years of enjoying the luxuries of the Airforce, he went back to the RNLN to become the subject matter expert MUS at the RNLN Maritime Warfare Centre. In this new role, he applies his naval and flight test experience to develop, evaluate and test promising concepts for MUS.

Joep holds a MSc in Military Systems and Technology. He is married and has two lovely kids. With his wife he dances Lindy Hop and his kids beat him up in the weekend.